Effect of Dietary Consumption of Garcinia kola Seed and Honey Mixture on Liver Function Parameters of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effect of dietary consumption of Garcinia kola seed and honey mixture on liver function parameters of Wistar rats. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Human Physiology, University Port Harcourt, June, 2015 to July 2015. Methodology: This study comprised of 20 Wistar rats. In total, there are four (4) groups consisting each of five (5) Wistar rats were used for each group giving a total of twenty (20) Wistar rats, that is Fifteen (15) Wistar rats for the groups and five (5) Wistar rats for the control).   Garcinia kola seed mixed with honey preparation was done by weighing 20g of powdered Garcinia kola seed and 80g of honey, this mixture was diluted with distilled water at a weight/volume ratio of 1:4. Different groups of the animals were fed Garcinia kola seed, Honey or a mixture of both (50mg/100g body weight) in solution of distilled water and normal saline only(control) was given for 14 days. Liver function test profile was assessed by the determination of plasma Total Bilirubin, Conjugated Bilirubin, Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Gamma Glutamyl transferase (GGT). Histological studies on the Liver were done for one Wistar rat in each group using the Haematoxylin and Eosin stain (H & E stain) and the pictograph reported (×400 magnification). The results were analyzed using SPSS Version 18. Results were presented as Mean ± SEM. ANOVA and Post hoc test (Tukey, LSD, Sheffe and Duncan) were used for multiple comparisons and p value was set at P<0.05. Results: The results obtained showed that Garcinia kola seed, Honey or a mixture of both exhibited a nutritious and highly beneficial role. They have a good effect on the Liver. From the result, there was a significant increase in the plasma levels of total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, AST and ALT for the groups fed Garcinia kola seed and Honey only, while the group fed a mixture of Garcinia kola seed and Honey, there was a significant rise of the Total bilirubin, AST, ALT and GGT at P<0.05. The histological findings for the groups fed Garcinia kola seed and honey only showed normal cellular architecture and matrix, while the Group fed a mixture of Garcinia kola seed and honey showed normal cellular architecture with the cellular content filled with debris. Although, there was cellular activity in the group fed with a mixture of GKS and Honey. Cellular activity is not significant. This is because the hepatocytes were clear. Conclusion: Thus, the mixture GKS + Honey is rich supplement to the liver that can be taken singly or in combination.